Chapter 45
“It’s so beautiful.”
For the first time in a long time, she felt like she could breathe. Earlier, Tanner had taken her to see the horses. She’d spent time with them, patting them, and giving them treats. Every minute with them seemed to ease her stress.
She didn’t think she’d ever felt so at peace.
And then he had put her in his truck, doing up her seatbelt even though they hadn’t left the Ranch, then driven her up this hill to have a picnic lunch.
She turned to look at him. He grinned at her as he pulled containers of food out of the picnic basket. “You talking about me or the Ranch?”
“Can I not be talking about both?”
He laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Here, what would you like to eat?” He held out an empty plate to her.
She was seized with indecision. She didn’t know what to eat. What might upset her stomach.
Without saying a word, he filled her plate. He didn’t put so much on that it would freak her out, but more than she likely would have.
She breathed out a sigh of relief as he took the decision from her hands. He’d been like that all day. Directing her around without being bossy about it. Picking her up to put her in the truck. Driving her here without asking her where she wanted to go.
It was definitely freeing. What surprised her was that she wasn’t obsessing over Stefan. Having Tanner take over helped clear her mind. Not entirely. She didn’t think she’d be fully stress-free until Stefan was dealt with.
But it helped a lot.
Instead of giving her the food, Tanner moved in behind her, so his legs were cradling hers.
“Tanner?” she asked, hesitantly.
“Shh. Just keep staring out at the scenery.” He set the plate off to the side where she couldn’t see it. Then he held something up to her mouth. She tried to stare down at it. A piece of strawberry.
“Open your mouth.”
Okay. Why did that turn her on? Maybe it was the memory of the fantastic orgasm he’d given her last night.
Perhaps you should return the favor.
Hmm. That was a thought.
“Good girl,” he told her as she swallowed the piece of strawberry.
Next up was a piece of cheese on a cracker.
“Open up again. I want you to eat this.”
“What is this? Tanner’s way of getting me to eat?”
“Yep. I think it’s pure genius.”
He would.
As she swallowed the cheese and cracker, he kissed down her neck.
“Are you going to reward me every time I eat?”
“That’s a nice thought.”
“Not sure it’s very practical. You can’t do it all the time.”
“Can’t I?”
Dear Lord.
“Don’t you eat with your family sometimes?” she asked as he held up a sandwich. She wasn’t sure how her tummy would react, but she was quite relaxed, so she took a small bite, chewing slowly.
“Yep.”
“You can’t do this in front of other people.”
“I don’t see why not,” he teased as he ran his hand up her thigh. She was wearing a pair of loose-fitting jeans. At one time they’d been a bit on the tight side.
“Tanner,” she whispered.
“Just relax and let me take care of you.”
“And what if I want to take care of you?” she asked. Okay, her stomach handled that bite, so she took another one.
“You are being so good, so brave,” he whispered to her.
She wasn’t, but she had to admit to liking the praise.
“You want to take care of me?” He cupped her mound.
She could feel her body reacting to him, wanting him. His scent was potent, it almost felt like a drug. His touch made everything go slightly hazy until all she could think about was where she wanted him to touch her next.
“I do. Please.” She squirmed.
“Hmm, I’m not sure you’ve eaten enough to be allowed to eat me.”
“Tanner!” She meant to scold him, but it came out more like a plea.
“Gosh, you want me that badly, don’t you? A few more bites of food, then I get to eat you. Then I might let you have my cock. Since you’re so desperate.”
“I am not desperate.”
She totally was.
“Uh-huh. Sure, you’re not, baby.” He slowly fed her several more bites of food even as his hand and lips explored her body.
By the time she was full, he had her long-sleeved top off and her jeans unbuttoned. His hand was down her pants, toying with her clit.
“I can’t eat anymore,” she managed to get out as he slowly flicked her clit.
“Hmm, not even a piece of chocolate?”
“Noo!” she cried as he slid his fingers lower, pushing them inside her.
She needed more. Wanted him to move. To drive her over that edge.
“Guess it’s for me, then. Turn your face around.”
It was a slightly awkward angle, especially with his fingers in her pussy, his palm against her mound, holding her down. But as with anything, Tanner made it work. With his other hand, he grabbed her chin, holding her still as he kissed her.
It was filthy. Hungry.
She could taste the chocolate on his tongue as he fed it to her.
Maybe it should have been gross.
But it was hot . . . so freaking hot.
“Good girl,” he murmured. “You’ve always got to eat your dessert. And now it’s my turn.” He slid his fingers free of her pussy and she watched as he held them up to his mouth, licking them clean.
Her breathing quickened, a small whimper escaping.
“Take off your jeans and panties, then spread your legs wide.”
She rushed to comply. She was meant to be going down on him, but if he wanted to eat her out first . . .
Well, who was she to complain?
He took off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. The lean cut of his hips. Those delicious creases cut into his hips.
And then he positioned himself between her legs.
Perhaps she should have been back at the house, plotting and worrying about Stefan.
But Tanner was right. She needed some time to relax. To remember how to have fun.
So, she lay back on the blanket on a hill on a ranch in Texas and let her man eat her out.
And it was fucking amazing. He started slow and soft. As though he had all the time in the world. His fingers pressed inside her, moving back and forth. Faster and faster as her cries filled the air. He sucked on her clit before running his tongue over it. Then with his tongue moving rhythmically against the swollen bud, he sent her flying.
But he didn’t stop. He kept going, moving his tongue faster, his fingers curling to find that spot. And to her shock, she flew up into a second orgasm. Or was it just a continuation of the first one?
She didn’t know and didn’t much care. By the time he’d slid his fingers and tongue away from her pussy, she was a mess. She watched through half-lidded eyes as he licked his lips, then cleaned his fingers.
That was so damn hot. Then he lay on his back and drew her lifeless body onto his chest.
Dead. She was dead.
“Poor baby, are you tired, now?” he crooned, rubbing his hand up and down his back.
“Uh-huh.”
Then she stiffened. Wait. Was this all part of some plan?
Drawing back, she looked down at him.
“Wanna have a nap?” he asked.
Ooh, it was. He just wanted her to sleep. Well, she’d teach him.
“Nope. I’m hungry.”
“Yeah? Want some more food?” He sat up with her in his lap.
“Nope. It’s your turn to lie still and let me play.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “I don’t know if you’re feeling up to that, baby.”
Oh, that was his plan? To tire her out because he thought she wasn’t up to sucking him off?
She so didn’t think so.
“I feel better than I have in ages, and I know what I want. Are you going to tell me no?”
Lilac would stop if he said no. And when he shook his head, her heart dropped.
It’s not a rejection.
“There’s no way I could tell you no,” he told her.
Huh? Wait. That was a yes?
She smiled at him.
“But if you get tired or dizzy or feel sick, you stop at once.”
“I promise.” Her hands were trembling as she undid his jeans. He sat up and helped her strip him naked, then he drew her onto his lap, his hand wrapping around the back of her head as he kissed her.
Drawing back, she pouted. “I thought I was in charge here.”
“My baby wants to be in charge?”
“Yes.”
“All right, then.”
She wasn’t sure if she believed him, but she slid her hands down his chest, touching all of him, running her fingers over his nipples. Then she bent down to suck on them.
“Fuck, yes.” He clasped the back of her head again, guiding her to his other nipple.
“Tanner,” she scolded.
“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.” He drew his hand away and leaned back on his hands.
Okay, she guessed that was as much surrender as she’d get.
“Suck my dick, pretty girl.”
So bossy.
But that was what she wanted anyway, so she decided to oblige him.
Moving down between his legs, she licked the head of him, humming in pleasure. This wasn’t something she had much experience with. She’d only slept with one guy while they were on the run. And she hadn’t really enjoyed it. It had been more about defying Stefan than anything else. His precious sister was no longer untouched.
“You’re thinking too much,” he said. “I might be insulted if I didn’t know that’s how your brain works. However, if you can’t stop thinking I will take over.”
Crap.
Determined to do this how she wanted, she took more of him into her mouth, sucking strongly.
“Fuck, yes, baby.”
He lay on his back, and she moved to his side, leaning over him as she grasped hold of the base of his cock. He was thick and firm. And she wanted more.
He felt silky smooth. So warm. She ran her hand up and down his shaft, her mouth taking more of him in.
His breathing grew faster. “Fuck, baby, that’s it. Hold me tight. Good girl. Now, lick across the head of my dick.”
Instead of being annoyed at him taking charge, she found herself glad for the direction. She wanted to know what he liked.
“Cup my balls. Fuck, yes. Baby, you have no idea how good your mouth feels.”
Lilac didn’t realize how much she’d like this. But giving him pleasure made her feel so light, so happy.
She sped up, remembering how he’d started slowly, then gradually grown faster. Taking her hand from his balls, she wrapped it around the base of him again, jacking him off until his breathing grew erratic.
“I’m close, baby. And I want you to be a good girl and swallow.”
Swallow?
Okay, she guessed she could try that.
A groan erupted from him as he came in her mouth. She swallowed hastily.
The taste of him was different, but not unpleasant, and his moans of pleasure were all she needed to hear to convince her that she wanted to do this again.
And soon.